Which River Originates in Rajasthan and Disappears in Gujarat?

India has many rivers, but some are differently from others. While most rivers flow into sea, some vanish before reaching any large water body. One such river starts in Rajasthan and flows through dry lands before disappearing in Gujarat. This unique river plays an important role in the regions it passes through, providing water for farming and wildlife despite its unusual nature.

River that Originates in Rajasthan and Disappears in Gujarat

The Luni River is the biggest river in the Thar Desert in northwest India. It begins in the Pushkar Valley of the Aravalli Range near Ajmer in Rajasthan. From there, it flows across the dry desert areas of Rajasthan and then reaches the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, where it disappears. The Luni River is very important for the people living in these dry regions, although its water becomes salty in many parts of its journey.

Origin and Course of the Luni River

The Luni River starts in the Pushkar Valley, near Ajmer, Rajasthan. In the beginning, it is called the Sagarmati River. After meeting its tributary Saraswati, which comes from Pushkar Lake, the river is then called Luni. It flows in a southwest direction through Rajasthan, covering a distance of 495 km. The river finally disappears into the marshy lands of the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat instead of reaching the sea.

Luni River Basin

The total area of the Luni River is 37,363 square kilometers. It covers parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The river flows through the districts of Ajmer, Barmer, Jalore, Jodhpur, Nagpur, Pali and Sirohi in Rajasthan. It also touches Banaskantha and Patna districts in Gujarat.

Tributaries of the Luni River

The main tributaries of the Luni River are:

Left Bank Tributaries:

• Sukri
• Mithri
• Bandi
• Khari
• Jawai
• Guhiya
• Sagi

Right-Bank Tributaries: Jojari

All tributaries except Jojari originate from the Aravalli Range.

Dams and Irrigation Projects

Several dams and irrigation projects have been built on the Luni River and its tributaries to store water and support agriculture. The major dams and irrigation projects are:

• Jaswant Sagar Dam
• Sardar Samand Dam
• Jawai Dam